4. Several background checks will then be completed by the NYS Police and the FBI. Applicants will also be interviewed by their local law enforcement agency. After all necessary steps are successfully completed, the application is submitted to the Licensing Officer (County or Supreme Court Judge).

5. If approved, the applicant will receive notification to appear in person to begin completing the process.

Registration of Handguns

When a gun is purchased from an immediate family member, a dated bill of sale is required to add the pistol to the new owner's permit. The bill of sale must show both the buyer's and seller's names, addresses, permit numbers, and the counties that permits are in. The gun must be described by make, model, caliber action and serial number. Once the handgun is registered at our department, it may be picked up by the buyer, and the seller has 10 days to come to the Pistol Permit Office to have the weapon removed from his/her permit.

The NICS form, along with purchase receipt, must be brought to the Pistol Permit Office in order for the gun to put on buyer’s permit.

When a gun is purchased from a dealer, the dealer receipt is required. The receipt must show the buyer's name, address, permit number, and the make, model, caliber action and serial number of the gun. The dealer's name, address, New York State dealer number and county the dealership is in must also appear on the receipt. Once the handgun is registered at the Pistol Permit Office, a purchase coupon is given to the buyer, to allow him/her to pick up the weapon from the dealer.

There is a $3.00 amendment fee for the registration of a handgun to a permit.

As per New York State Police Pistol Permit Division, all firearms receipts must includeall of the following:

Make

Model

Caliber

Action (Revolver, Semi-Auto, Single-Shot, Derringer)

Serial Number

If all the above information is not included, your transaction will not be processed.

Removing Handguns from Permit

When a gun is sold to an individual, a dated bill of sale is required to remove the pistol from the seller's permit. The bill of sale must show both the buyer's and seller's names, addresses, permit numbers and counties that permits are in. The gun must be described by make, model, caliber action and serial number. Once the gun has been registered and picked up by the buyer, the seller has 10 days to come to the Pistol Permit Office and have it removed from his/her permit. If the buyer is from a county other than Erie County, he/she must provide the seller with a purchase coupon upon delivery of the registered gun. This coupon must then be provided to our department by the seller when removing the gun.

When a gun is sold to a dealer, the dealer receipt is required. The receipt must show the seller's name, address, permit number, and make, model, caliber action and serial number of the gun. The dealer's name, address, New York State dealer number and county the dealership is in must also appear on the receipt.

There is a $3.00 amendment fee to remove a handgun from a permit.

Death of a Permit Holder

New York State Law requires that upon a permit holder's death, the decedent's estate must, within 15 days, turn over the decedent's firearm(s) to another pistol permit holder; a licensed dealer; or the local police department.

The estate is also requested to notify the Niagara County Pistol Permit Office of the permit holder's passing. If the decedent is an immediate family member, complete an Estate Receipt Form Link to Estate Receipt Formprovide a copy of a death certificate and information about the disposition of the firearm(s), so that the license may be cancelled. If the decedent is not a member of the immediate family, please call the Pistol Permit Office at 716-439-7184.

Additional Information

Changes in Name, Address or County

Name Change

A name change requires the permit holder to appear at the Pistol Permit Office with proof of the new name in the form of a marriage certificate or Court Order. A fee of $3.00 is charged to change the name on a pistol permit. If you have a paper permit, you must obtain a plastic card, for a charge of $5.00.

Address Change

A change of address for current pistol permit holders requires the permit holder to notify the Pistol Permit Office in person within 10 days of the change. The fee is $3.00. If you are in the process of applying for a pistol permit and change your address, you may send a written notification to the Pistol Permit Office, or appear in person to notify us of the change.

Co-Registration

Co-Registration of handguns is allowed within the same household only. The Pistol Permit office requires the primary owner of the handgun(s) to give permission for co-registration verbally (in person), or with a signed handwritten note. All pistol permit holders are responsible for the co-registered handgun(s), and the primary owner is the only one allowed to sell the handgun(s). Once the handgun(s) are sold, it is the responsibility of all co-registrants to dispose of handgun(s). Transactions must be done in person by each individual pistol permit holder.

To transfer your pistol permit to another county, you must appear at the Niagara County Pistol Permit Office.

Lost or Stolen Permits

You may obtain a duplicate pistol permit when your original permit is lost, stolen or mutilated. We will arrange for a duplicate when you appear at the Pistol Permit Department with a list of your guns which includes the make, caliber and serial number of each gun. You will be given a duplicate information form to be completed at our office when you come in. The fee for a duplicate permit is $5.00.

Note: Pistol permits cannot be laminated.

Any questions you may have can be directed to the Pistol Permit Department at 716-439-7184.